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Hi! You have definitely had crazy weather this summer! How is your Achilles feeling?
Keiko did well here!
The Go looks good on both sides 🙂
The Back cue also looks good! You try more connection and less arm to get her to do it with you not having to step as much. And it is fine to have physical cues supporting the verbal cues on these. I am especially happy that she took the jump as the default after arriving at the backside without help, even as you got way ahead. YAY!She also did well on the left side threadle wraps and I see what you mean about her asking questions on your right side. I watched the left side versus the right side reps and I think part of it was the timing of when you flicked her: on the left side reps, you waited til she was just about past the wing and then cued it. On the right side reps, you were doing it earlier – she was not passing the wing yet, so she still had the option of front or back of the jump and there was steam coming out of her ears LOL! So you can wait til she is at or passing the wing then cue the turn away part.
Also, on the right side I think she was not really reading the hand cue to drive in to you, it was almost like she was offering a bit of heeling LOL! So you can shake your hand cue and even reward her for driving to it with a cookie from the hand, before flicking her. That can help her drive even faster to you hand n those cues, which will allow you to be earlier on the timing.>>I can hear you ask, “What about the threadle slice?”
The answer is, it looked totally foreign to me. I looked back through the camp exercises and couldn’t find an instructional sequence for that slice anywhere. I may be there, but I don’t remember it. I’ve never used a verbal for this technique – and, in fact, I can’t recall ever using this at all with any of my girls. I have done whiskeys, of course, coming from behind with the dog on my outside arm. So, I’m stuck on this one. Not sure how I would approach it. If you did cover it somewhere and I missed it please let me know.>>I think it might look a bit weird because maybe it is out of context. We did them in MaxPup classes in the Strike A Pose games for threadles) and those were front side threadles – think of 2 jumps in a parallel line and she takes the front, you use your threadle cue to pull her into the gap between the jumps then send her back out on the front of the 2nd jump. Here in CAMP, we didn’t do specific skills sets for them, but there were sprinkled in on the sequences and courses. This threadle slice is on the backside here in these skills sets, which might be why it looks so weird LOL!!! I can draw it in context of a course if you want to see the visual of it 🙂
Nice work here! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi!
Poor Mookie!!!! That must have been scary but I am glad he is on the road to recovery.>> In this time, I have found that I have been spoiled by Mookie my old shoe as Buddy needs so much more.
I found I really need to direct him more than Mookie. >>That is so true – Buddy is less experienced and needs more support in every way. It makes me chuckle that Mookie is now the comfy slippers, I remember when he was younger that he was NOT your comfy slippers LOL!
>>Buddy tends to go wide and I really need to work to keep him in on his path with both a “close close” verbal with exit arms.
It could be that he needs earlier info, and also that he is less experienced in knowing where to go. Talking to him more really helps!
>> I can send him to a tunnel but need to watch him until he enters it or he will pull off the tunnel and come back to me. The connection he needs seems more intense than with Mookie. >>
Yes, some dogs prefer stronger connection and that is good to know!
>>I know I will really have to incorporate on how I will direct Buddy on course into my walk thrus. Buddy seems to do better if I chatter during runs giving much more verbal input then I give Mookie plus verbal praise to tell him he is correct.
When you walk his courses at the trial, walk the extra connections and verbals as a way to be ready for what he needs 🙂
>>Buddy also is affected by a judge in the ring and distractions where Mookie is not so I will be doing the games learned at the trial also.>>
Perfect! And if you can get him to the location or to trial-like places beforehand, it will make things even easier.
>>When is the last cut off to write on this forum ??
Sept 1 is the last day – I can’t believe the summer has gone so fast!
Thanks for the update 🙂
TracyHi!
Here are 2 proofing games to revisit with running:
Serps and backside serps 🙂https://agility-u.com/lesson/proofing-game-3-strike-a-pose-proofing-for-serps-and-threadles/
https://agility-u.com/lesson/proofing-games-backside-challenges/
Hi again!
One thing I notice on this video and on the previous ones is that going away from the tunnel, she almost always gets the serp even when you are running hard. Going towards the tunnel is harder, that is where she tends to miss – so definitely revisit the proofing game.
Also, looking at upper body position:
First rep:
:04 was great going away from the tunnel
:07 (jump before the tunnel) was strong enough for her to see the open shoulder and she got it.2nd rep – :14 was great
:17 (jump before the tunnel) she got ahead and you closed your shoulder forward so she ran past it3rd rep – :25 – great
:29 you had a better open shoulder before she got to the jump – I don’t think she needed that other cues like decel because your shoulder was great there .So yes – keep opening that shoulder and making the very strong connection to her eyes and calling her (especially when the tunnel is out there) – it might feel a bit exaggerated for now, but that is fine 🙂 And also the proofing games, now that she is older and faster 🙂 will allow you to remind her to come in for the serps even when things are VERY EXCITING lol!
Great job here!
TracyHi!
First sequence – looking good! Great connection! My only suggestion is to open up your shoulder for the serp cue a tiny bit sooner at :09 on jump 6.
Second sequence – also great!
3rd sequence – great!
These really look terrific.4th rep, balancing back to the first sequence – really nice til the serp jump at :48 – I think you accelerated a lot there and didn’t open your shoulder for the serp til she was almost past the jump, so she raced past it. Based on what I see here, that open shoulder is an important cue for her – you also didn’t open it enough at :56 so she didn’t get it there.
– compare those run by moments to :09 where you were calling and opening your shoulder and she got it one those – that open shoulder position is very helpful for her! And she was better at 1:05 because you opened your shoulder 🙂So yes – run hard but really open up your shoulder (twisting your upper body back to her) and call her, I think she will come in nicely when you do that. I totally agree that we don’t want you to have to pause, even for a heartbeat.
Also, revisit the proofing game we did in the previous max pup with the serp jump right in front of the tunnel – add in running to that game 🏃♀️ Because yes, the open shoulder helps but I think we both want her to come in when you are running hard and perhaps your shoulder is NOT perfect LOL!!! I will go grab the link to that game and post it in a moment. The proofing game plus the open shoulder will make it perfect 🙂
T
Good morning!
>> I did have trouble at first she did not take the second jump. But then I made sure I was closer to the jump and then she got everyone after that.>>
You must have edited those out, or I need more coffee, because she looked great on th video LOL!!! Getting closer helps a lot and I bet you also opened up your shoulder more too!
First reps going towards the pool look good – I think she dropped the last bar on the 2nd rep because you were decelerating and she was jumping towards the pool so she shortened up.
The bigger sequence looked awesome!!!! You got your ‘left’ verbal on the 4th jump – you can also use left/right verbals on the serps, or her name. Either way, the physical cue looked really good so she did really well here. Yes, she was a little wide on 4 but that is probably the fastest line there (collecting will look prettier but will be slower LOL!) and yes she might be avoiding landing on the sidewalk.Great job!
TracyHi! Sorry to hear that NZ is back in lockdown. I admire the way the Kiwis handle this, though – I know if sucks but so far you all have avoided a lot of disaster. So for now, we can get creative with how you present distractions.
It sounds like the dogs are making good progress!
Do you have a space where one of your older dogs can run around (but separately from the younger dog who is working) and use that as a situation? I out my older dogs in a fenced area to work the youngsters nearby – it was definitely harder! If you don’t have a fenced area, can you put the older dog on a leash with a chew bone or something so he is busy, then you can work Fusion or Veloz walking by with the engagement games?
The older dogs can be silly – looking, barking, etc – but we just don’t want them to try to insert themselves into the game LOL!!When things open back up, definitely take it on the road but for now we can be creative at home.
Tracy
Hi! Sorry I missed this one!
It was hard to see on the video exactly how it started – was he sniffing when you entered the ring, or did you toss treats immediately when you entered? He was very interested in the ground there LOL!
if you started it with a treat toss instantly, that is fine – then wait for him to lift his head and re-engage. If he entered and was sniffing, you can start the game immediately as you pass through the gate – use your get it cue and toss a treat immediately when you enter (then close the gate :)) then toss the next one when he re-engages. Starting the pattern before he offers engagement can serve as a cue to engage – a soft cue that also allows him to assess the environment.
As for the 4 treats or just one – you’ll want to experiment with how it changes his state of arousal in different situations. Because we are aiming for the optimal state – which might differ slightly in various situations – one cookie might end up being perfect or 4 cookies might end up being perfect 🙂 Generally, the longer he sniffs around the for treats, the lower his state of arousal will be. That can be helpful or not – he might need that at first then he will need the volume dial game tp raise the state for the run. The only way to know is to experiment. A good guess for him is that I think he might need 4 cookies to start in any new area… then as he gets engaged, you can got to one treat from your hand (the newer variations of the pattern game from Package 5) then the volume dial tricks to get him pumped up – then the run 🙂Let me know what you think! Trying it at trials will help!
Tracy
Hi!
He did really well on this! I thought the runs were a shade slower than his runs when he is in his comfort zone, but that is normal 🙂 You were connected with clear lines and he did really well. My only handling suggestion on the 1st run is at :15 and :55 at the exit of the FC – the camera is in perfect position to see that your left arm is parallel to your body, so he really can’t see connection there even though your head is turned. Note how he drifts wide til he sees the next jump.
Ideally, your left arm there would be pointed back to his nose so as he lands from the jump he can see your entire upper body (shoulders, chest, eyes) and then he will know where to go, sooner.
So when he trials, he might be a little slower til he is very comfortable and that is fine, I can relate LOL!!! So be sure that you are connected and patient on all the lines like that, to support his path. And after each cross, open up your dog-side arm back to him to make eye contact to get the tight turns. The tight turns are important because they are faster, but more importantly: he will be more confident if he knows exactly where he is going at all times and can run fast without thinking 🙂Great job!!!
TracyHi! I am glad you like these – so simple to setup but sooooo many different things we can do on them LOL! That is the good news – the bad news is that because it is so simple, you have to be really clear on the cues – that is what makes it so hard 🙂 For the most part, you were really clear and she did well!
On the threadle wraps throughout the sessions:
To help feel like you are far enough ahead to set the line, you can send her to the wing from further away 🙂 If you stand by the jump and send her away to the wing from there, you should have an easy time getting to position for the threadles. You don’t need to do that for the GO or backside pushes.When she gets it right, you are out of the way (further away from the wing) and earlier on the cue. The upper body cue looked good too! When she got it wrong on the 2nd rep for example, you were stepping into her path which pushed her to the front of the jump. At 1:31 you were a little late starting it but more importantly – you were on her line so it pushes her to the front of the jump. The rep at 1:38 was earlier and you were in a better position! Try not to turn your feet towards her there, keep your feet facing forward like you did on the other reps.
For the Threadle slices, she needs the same timing and same room on the line to get it – so be sure to give her plenty of room by being away from the wing so she can squeeze herself in there 🙂She did really well on the backside pushes when you connected to her eyes! And the step to the backside helped too, but the connection made all the difference. On the reps where she didn’t get the backside at :41 and 2:07, you were looking forward so she did not see the connection. And keep on dropping the reward back behind you as you pass the jump, to help her learning to take the jump even as you run past it before she takes off on those backsides (like at 2:22).
And the GO lines were all perfect, she thought those were super easy LOL!
Great job here!
TracyHi again!
>> wide. Maybe there is not much space there to show my motion. Kinda tight. >>
Yes, I think not being able to show decel made it harder but also yo can rotate sooner even if you don’t have room to decel. At :04, you can be rotated and your feet facing the tunnel before she takes off for the #2 wrap jump. I htink you were helping commitment more than she needs there – no need to indicate the landing spot or punch down to the take off – just Decel, turn and get outta there 🏃♀️
At :12 you had earlier rotation and it was already better! And :20 was my favorite rotation! As she landed from 1, you were already turning. Then trust her more: as soon as you *think* she is going to take off, do the blind cross. You won’t see her takeoff when you are doing a spin 🙂 That will allow you to reconnect more quickly (it will be even easier when she is jumping full height because you will have more ‘hang time’)>> Hey, I signed Jedi up for your International class Sept 19. I will bring Ruby!!>>
YAY!! I am so excited!!!! I love Jedi and I can’t wait to meet the amazing Ruby!!!!!!!
TracyHi there! This is going well!
O the opening – you can try running a line directly to 3 and as long as you stay connected and tell her to jump 2… trust her and don’t go anywhere near 2 🙂 I am liming your timing and her commitment, and I agree – your 3rd one was best! But you can totally trust her more and see if she will stay on the line to 2 while yo head to 3 🙂
>> Just saw, at .27 I pull her off that top jump.
I think she was paying attention! At :27, you decelerated and turned away/broke connection, so she thought you wanted a turn. At :36, you stayed connected and drove all the way to the end and she got it 🙂 Young dogs are very literal LOL! So you need to be sure you don’t slow down til she lands form the last jump.
Sequence 2 – nice blind on the landing of 3!
Timing the rotation of the wrap to be sooner at :44 will get it tighter – you decelerated a little but you did not rotate til after she started taking off at :43 so she turned after landing. If you decelerate when she lands from the previous jump and rotate when she passes you for the turn jump (before she takes off) then I think the turn will be perfect 🙂Nice work!
TracyHi! She is doing really well here!
>>She is a bit inefficient with the threadle wrap but I know that it will get better as she gets more confident.
Indeed! Same with the backside sends – at :06 you only gave her the cue once so she had to really think about it (and she got it, good girl!) and then she got all of the other backside push reps. Yay!
>>I strongly suspect (why can’t dog’s talk?) that she just thought it was “come in between me and the jump and take the jump however works”I strongly suspect (why can’t dog’s talk?) that she just thought it was “come in between me and the jump and take the jump however works”>>
Yes! In a perfect world the verbal would be all that is needed to differentiate… but the reality is that the different physical cues really help too!
On the video, all of the front side of the jumps were easy for her. On the threadle wraps versus threadle slices – I think there is a lot more clarity there in the cues – difference sounds, slightly different physical cues. There is that little hand flick that really helps her – the timing that worked best for her was when you did it as she was arriving just before the wing (:13, :55, 1:12). If you were too early by a yard or two at :34 – she had a big question (she got it but she looked at you like “wait, what?” HA!)
And the threadle slices looked very different in arm position and also in your feet (tiny bit of feet saying “hey, it is a slice) so she really did not seem to have any questions on the difference. Great job clarifying!!!1:24 she did the in in on the jump after tunnel. There was a bit of a disconnect when she exited the tunnel and she was heading to the backside (I don’t think she ever looked at the front side there). In my experience, that is a typical over-achiever moment: with a lot of young dogs (Border Collies, I am looking at YOU. Ha!) they start to try to anticipate the fancy stuff. So I find they anticipate threadles or backside pushes in skills sessions (not really in big courses). My guess is she was trying to anticipate that here plus you only told her to jump once, well before she entered the tunnel, so she exited and saw your line and was guessing backside. That will go away as she gets more experience about when/where the fancy cues will come 🙂
Great job here! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi!
Your walk through skills are definitely working well – your connection is getting super strong and so now it is a matter of strategizing best to sort the needs of the dogs 🙂 Yay! And I feel like the pace of the walk through is good because you don’t look like you are feeling rushed or disconnecting to get places.
With Ruse:
Opening looked good! She was a little uncertain in the first few weaves but then picked up speed!>>But when I got the dog out I got a fright as she jumped towards me over 5 and then I went for the emergency threadle wrap, which she failed. >
Ha! She was coming at you fast LOL!!! You could have gotten the threadle wrap with a bit more staying forward with your feet – you moved towards the jump a tiny bit (watch your feet at 1:01) and so she took the front side.
>>When I played the video back I think she jumped towards me over 5 because I was a long way to the right of 5, I didn’t run the correct line, I was miles away from 4-5.
Yes, I agree – I think you would have to converge towards her sooner to get a better line to the backside – Hero was on a good line there so it would have been easy with him.
The rest looked terrific! Little suggestions:
On the 10-11-12 section:
BC at 1:12 before the tunnel was great!!!! The BC after the tunnel was a little late (and verbals can be sooner too) – it was finished before she exited but can you show it starting before she enters and call her too, to get a tighter turn.A little wide out of the very last tunnel, so get right down to the tunnel exit to set the turn so she knows exactly where to be.
Hero was the example of young dogs being VERY literal. At 1:35, he was over #2, you were still facing straight: so he went straight, straight to the tunnel 🙂
1:44 you did say left but late turning and VERY close to 2, so… more tunnel.1:50 was better: you were turning and moving laterally away – he turned his head to you over 2 and then finally came to the weaves when you insisted on it LOL! And he did well in the weaves too.
I bet you can lead out more laterally and not as far – maybe halfway between 1 and 2, or something along that line where you can just send and leave when he lands from 1. That will help with the turn at 2.
I think your dig cue for the threadle wrap was good at 2:00! But it is a relatively new skill for him so I think he is not quite ready for it in a course, maybe he needs more time on 1 or 2 jumps then build it up by gradually adding speed.
On the 10-11-12 section: BC before the tunnel at 2:21 was good, BC after the tunnel at 2:23 was earlier starting than with Ruse and his turn was better! Plus you were already calling him as he entered.
Other little details: You can push a little sooner to 14, you can help him but being closer to the tunnel exit so he sees you sooner for that line. And same as with Ruse, you can be closer to the exit of the very last tunnel to set the best possible line to the last jump.
Great job here!
Let me know what you think!
Tracy
